You can't turbo a CA18DE due to the high compression, if you have turboed a SR20DE it was probably a low compression one from a Primera GTe which have a low compression engine. The compression ratio on a CA18DE is 10.5:1.

your better off getting a CA18DET from a 200sx surly?????

Haha nah you could even on 10.5:1 but it'd be harder i'm sure.
The S13 CA18DE is only 9.5:1 though anyways so it should be fine, same comp ratio the S13 SR DE engine had.
The SR engines i have turbod in the past are S13 Q's ones, 9.5:1 comp, although a mate of mine did an S14 Q's one a while ago and it's 10:1. He was somewhat limited with what boost to run but it made a healthy 160rwkw with a crappy RB20 turbo on it. It would probably make a bit more with a more efficient compressor but response and overall torque on the engine was very good.
CA18DE are cheap as chips that's my main aim is to be a stingy bastard.
It's just a learn to drift car for my girlfriend after all.
CA18DET aren't that expensive but are certainly alot more then the $200 i'm looking at for a DE.

Sounds like you've got it sussed mate! :cool: